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Minimum postoperative antibiotic duration in advanced appendicitis in children: a review

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Abstract

The suitable duration of antibiotic use following appendectomy for advanced appendicitis in children is still debated. A systematic review was performed, including published experimental and observational data of antibiotic use in children who had undergone appendectomy for advanced appendicitis. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined criteria. Twenty-eight studies were selected that included 2,284 patients. There was no consistency among the protocols regarding length of antibiotic use, discharge criteria, or use of home antibiotics following discharge. Limiting duration of antibiotic use to3 days did not appear to be associated with higher rates of intraabdominal abscess or wound infection. In the absence of higher-level evidence, shortening of antibiotic regimens following surgery for pediatric complicated appendicitis appears to be safe.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Queen’s University School of Medicine, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Carolyn M. H. Snelling, Dan Poenaru & John W. Drover

  2. Kijabe Hospital, Box 20, Kijabe, Kenya

    Dan Poenaru

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  1. Carolyn M. H. Snelling
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  2. Dan Poenaru
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  3. John W. Drover
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Correspondence to Dan Poenaru.

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Snelling, C.M.H., Poenaru, D. & Drover, J.W. Minimum postoperative antibiotic duration in advanced appendicitis in children: a review. Ped Surgery Int 20, 838–845 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-004-1280-x

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